Christine and Gareth’s Maine Wedding at Portland Headlight and Dunegrass Golf Club
Christine and Gareth’s Maine Wedding at Portland Headlight and Dunegrass Golf Club

Christine and Gareth’s wedding day took place on July 21st, 2018. Christine got ready at her parent’s house in Scarborough. We took a few photos at the residence and then headed off to the ceremony. The ceremony took place at Portland Headlight at Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. Everyone gathered at Battery Knoll, which is the part of the park overlooking the lighthouse. It was the perfect setting for the couple to exchange vows surrounded by family and friends.

Following the ceremony, Christine and Gareth walked around with me throughout Fort Williams Park to take photos of just the two of them. We had the most wonderful ocean views and the lighthouse continued to provide the perfect scenic Maine backdrop for their portraits.

Next, everyone traveled to Old Orchard Beach for Christine and Gareth’s wedding reception at the Dunegrass Golf Club. The Grand Cyprus Room was decorated beautifully for the occasion with gorgeous flower table centerpieces, adorable calligraphy signs (made by Ashley Beecher, Christine’s sister-in-law) and the room was complete with a whoopee pie table!

Once everyone was announced into the reception, Christine and Gareth shared their first dance to Baby I’m Yours covered by the Arctic Monkeys. There were several heartfelt speeches and toasts, followed by dinner and lots of dancing. All in all, it was a wonderful and unforgettable evening and I am so honored to have been part of Christine and Gareth’s special day, as they truly are one of the sweetest couples I’ve ever photographed.

Here’s my Q&A with Christine:

How did you two meet? Tell us about your first date.

Gareth was recruited from England to play Rugby here in Portland Maine, and my brother was also on the team. I went to a couple games and noticed him on the field. Eventually I got my brother to introduce us one night in Portland. We went on our first date a week later after Gareth asked my brother if it was okay to take me out on a date. We went out for drinks then gelato on our first date and it was just easy and fun to be together.

When and where did you get engaged? Tell us about the proposal.

We got engaged in Gareth's home town of Bridlington, England on Christmas Eve of 2016. He had been planning to propose at Whitby Abbey (my favorite place we visited on my last trip a year previous), however the weather was horribly windy and wet. He asked me that evening over a cup of Yorkshire tea whilst we were in his living room in front of the Christmas Tree watching home alone. Gareth and I had to be apart a lot because of the distance but in his proposal he made it clear that eventually we would find a way to make it work and be together.

What is your favorite moment of your wedding day?

Our favorite moment was bringing two sets of our wonderful family and friends together on our special day and seeing everyone have such a great time.

Tell us about your flowers, your gown, and your cake.

As a bride, I wasn't stuck just on one color. I wanted soft colors of pinks, peaches, greens, blues, and some gold. I knew Jamie of Cider House Designs would be creative so I told her to surprise me. She noticed the little things as well such as adding little spritz of purple in my bouquet because it is Gareth's favorite color. She was able to also create a beautiful space for us at Fort Williams. Jamie did such an amazing job taking my color ideas and bringing them to life with the beautiful flowers she chose.

My wedding dress was a Maggie Sottero from Andreas Bridal and was purchased at their sample sale. When I tried it on I fell in love with it. The dress had everything I was looking for and more! 

Instead of doing a traditional wedding cake, we cut did a table of whoopie pies, with a giant one for us to cut into. We love whoopie pies and it's a perfect Maine treat!

Wedding Vendors:

Ceremony Venue: Portland Head Lighthouse (Fort Williams Park) in Cape Elizabeth, ME

Reception Venue: Dunegrass Golf Club in Old Orchard Beach, ME

DJ: Stephen Bell with Double Platinum Celebrations DJ Services

Florist: Jamie Moody with Cider House Designs

Whoopie Pies: Cakes and Desserts by Billi Jo

Ceremony Benches and Chairs: Savvy Event Rental

Transportation: Atlantic Limousine (Wedding Party) and Custom Coach and Limousine (Guests)

Trina DinnarTrina Dinnar Photography
Dockside Restaurant on York Harbor Maine Wedding | Emily & Kim
Dockside Restaurant on York Harbor Maine Wedding | Emily & Kim

There are so many great images to share from Emily and Kim’s wedding — it was hard to narrow down which ones to share in this post! I’ve been looking forward to photographing this wedding since last year, when I met these two and photographed their engagement session with their three dogs.

Emily and Kim’s wedding took place on June 30th, 2018 at the Dockside Restaurant on York Harbor, which is a lovely coastal southern Maine wedding venue that offers picturesque views of the ocean along with yachts, lobster boats and everything that is at the essence of nautical New England.

On the day of the wedding, both brides got ready at Dockside Guest Quarters, which is a historic inn on the property that faces the Atlantic Ocean. The ladies had their hair done by Kate Write and Kaylee Donovan of Wink Salon and Spa. Make up was done by Rachel Murphy of Wake Up Pretty. Once Emily and Kim were ready, they did a “first touch” which is an alternative first look where a couple doesn’t see each other; instead, they hold hands around a corner or doorway.

The ceremony took place on the front lawn of the inn, overlooking the water. The site was decorated beautifully with floral arrangements and nautical décor. Both brides walked down the aisle with their dads and the couple exchanged their vows and wedding bands as a representation of their commitment to one another. One of the best ideas was for me to get a group photo of everyone at the wedding immediately following the ceremony. Everyone was so joyous and excited to celebrate the occasion!

Emily and Kim’s reception took place inside the Dockside Restaurant. After everyone was announced in, the couple shared their first dance and each shared a dance with their dad. After dinner, Emily and Kim cut their wedding cake, which was a lovely ombre four tiered cake with a nautical theme, created by Danielle Thibodeau of Wicked Sweet Sugar Boutique (based in Hampton, NH).

My favorite part of the evening was going out at sunset for portraits. We utilized all the property has to offer by taking photos at the gazebo, on the dock and on the lawn. All in all, it was a perfect day and I’m so honored to have been part of Emily and Kim’s special day. You can learn more about the couple’s wedding and their vision in our Q&A (below the photos).

Wedding Vendors:

Venue: Dockside Restaurant on York Harbor

Photography: Trina Dinnar Photography

DJ: DJ Jodi Entertainment

Officiant: Jim Larson (Emily's Cousin)

Florist: Flowers By the Sea

Cake: Wicked Sweet Sugar Boutique

Hair: Wink Salon & Spa

Make up: Wake Up Pretty

Emily's Dress: Andrea's Bridal

Kim's Suit: Little Black Tux

Wedding Invitations: InspirationIDoDesign (Etsy)

How did you envision your wedding prior to planning?

Kim and I envisioned our wedding at the place we love the most! The ocean has always been our place and it wouldn’t be right if we didn’t celebrate such a special day there. We wanted our big day to be somewhat traditional, simple, and elegant. We always dreamed of celebrating this amazing moment with all of our family and friends and that is exactly what we were able to do! 

What was your color palate and your style vision?

We did mainly mint and navy, with white and hints of coral. We went for the more rustic nautical. 

What was your favorite moment of your wedding day?

Our favorite moment was seeing each other for the first time that day, when I saw Kim standing at the altar and when I was walking down the aisle towards her. It was such a beautiful and surreal moment all I could think about was her.  We also really enjoyed seeing the overwhelming happiness of our family and friends as they celebrated us.

What song did you do your first dance to?

Say You Won't Let Go - James Arthur

Tell us about your flowers, your gown, your favors, your cake, etc.

Patti Gregoire from Flowers by the Sea did our flowers. Kim and I wanted beautiful peonies to be the main focus of our flower arrangements, along with simple beautiful white flowers to accent them. 

I purchased my dress from Andrea’s Bridal. I went with a champagne blush color to compliment Kim’s ivory suit. 

Danielle Thibodeau with Wicked Sweet Sugar Boutique created our beautiful ocean themed wedding cake.

The buoy centerpieces were designed and painted by Kim and myself and were custom made by BeardBuilt (which is owned by my dad and brother, Tim and Lucas de Gonzague) BeardBuilt also made the beautiful signing board, card box, and cake stand. 

Our favors were an alternative twist on welcome bags, they were goodnight bags and we also had a serve yourself popcorn and taffy bar. We got the popcorn from Coastal Maine Popcorn, the flavors were Maine Maple, Marshmallow Krispy Treat, and Chocolate Caramel and Sea Salt. In the goodnight bags we also had Maine chocolate covered blueberries.

What advice would you give to couples who are currently planning their wedding?

Even though wedding planning can be very stressful, keep your eyes on the bigger picture and the outcome that you are working so hard towards. DIY stuff can be a major contributor to the stress, but these small personal details are sure to add that special touch to your big day! We had so many people complementing us on the personal details that we had made ourselves. It was all worth it in the end when you hear that everyone loved all the small details and it was the best wedding they have been to! It is all worth it in the end!

Trina DinnarTrina Dinnar Photography
The Stone Barn at Sebago Lake Standish Maine Wedding | Paige & Miah
The Stone Barn at Sebago Lake Standish Maine Wedding | Paige & Miah

Paige and Miah were married on June 9th, 2018 in Standish, Maine. They both got ready at Paige’s parent’s house, which was at a beautiful location overlooking Sebago Lake. The couple shared a small private wedding ceremony on the deck, which overlooked the lake and set a perfect backdrop for them to exchange their vows.

Following the ceremony, Paige and Miah had their wedding reception at The Stone Barn at Sebago Lake in Standish, Maine. The barn is one of many locations on the Saint Joseph’s College property where couples can celebrate their marriage. The venue space was so beautifully decorated! Reception tables were adorned with lace table runners, elegant China plates, crystal vases with exquisite floral arrangements and adorable wedding favors such as small seed packets and little honey jars.

The couple shared their first dance and were soon joined on the dance floor by their friends and family. They then received two heartfelt toasts and speeches from the Maid of Honor and Best Man. For dinner, guests enjoyed clam chowder, marinated steak tips, roasted chicken, mashed potatoes and mixed summer vegetables. After dinner, Paige and her father shared a father-daughter dance inside the barn.

After Paige and Miah cut their wedding cake, open dancing began under the tent. That’s when we took the couple out to the college’s lakefront for a few spectacular sunset portraits. When the couple returned to their reception, they spent the rest of their evening celebrating their marriage with their closest family and friends. It was such a lovely day filled with love, laughter and beautiful details and I’m so honored to have been part of Paige and Miah’s special day.

 

Wedding Vendors:

Venue, Catering, Planning and Coordinating: The Stone Barn at Sebago Lake

Officiant: Debra Wentworth

Second Photographer: Monica Brown Photography

Music: DJ Tommy Blaze Entertainment

Florist: Studio Flora

Cake: Bear Brook Bakery

Hair: Chic Boutique

Wedding Dress: Madeline’s Daughter

Rings: Days Jewelers and Windham Jewelers

 

Trina DinnarTrina Dinnar Photography
The Barn at Flanagan Farm Buxton Maine Wedding | Ellen & Tim
The Barn at Flanagan Farm Buxton Maine Wedding | Ellen & Tim

I was thrilled when Ellen and Tim reached out to me to photograph their May 19th, 2018 wedding at the Barn at Flanagan Farm in Buxton, Maine. Barn weddings have become increasingly popular in recent years and I have always wanted to photograph a wedding there.

The day of the wedding, it began raining just before the ceremony. I’m glad that didn’t deter Ellen and Tim from exchanging their vows outside. We made use of adorable clear umbrellas for their bride and groom portraits. All in all, everything worked out so well and the couple had a wonderful day celebrating their love with their closest family and friends.

I asked Ellen to tell me a little more about her special day:

How did you envision your wedding being prior to planning? 

I honestly didn't have a huge vision. Just knew I would wear my mom’s dress and thought we would be on Sebago Lake. Once we chose The Barn at Flanagan Farm as our venue, I had a vision of simple and elegant - outdoor ceremony and the barn for the reception. The venue exceeded my expectations. It was perfect beyond words. We were able to move in Thursday and get the whole Barn ready for Saturday. There is a second barn on the property that we had our rehearsal dinner in, followed by a fire with our family and wedding party.

What was your color palette and your style vision? 

My bridesmaids were in a champagne/peach color. It was a two piece dress that gave a bohemian touch which is exactly what I wanted. They had small cap sleeves which also matched my dress. Tim and his groomsmen were in navy suits that were "slim" fit with matching champagne ties, white shirts, brown belts and brown shoes. They all looked handsome. 

What is your favorite moment of your wedding day? 

My favorite moment was our first dance. We hadn't spent much time practicing but the song has been a favorite of both of ours from the beginning of our relationship. It’s upbeat and the crowd got into it — clapping and cheering us on. It felt like we were dancing to our future. 

What song did you do your first dance to? 

Ho Hey by the Lumineers

Tell us about your flowers, your gown, your favors, your cake, etc.

My flowers were from Maine Street Florist in Buxton. The owner, Janet, put together greenery and white flowers to match my vision of simple with an earthy tone. My dress was very special. It was my mother’s dress that she married my dad in. I took it to Maria Antonieta in Portland to have restorations done. There, she made my cap sleeves and altered the neck line and opened up the back with a tear drop but for the most part, I kept the dress the same. We chose to not do a cake because neither my husband nor I care for it. Instead, we had a close family friend make fudge for our guests as their dessert. It was a total hit! 

What advice would you give to couples who are currently planning their wedding? 

Be present in the moment. I don't think I even listened to the ceremony but I can still feel holding my husband’s hands and looking into his eyes. I also recommend saying thank you and hello to your guests while dinner is being served. It was a great opportunity for us to see everyone who made the effort to come celebrate with us.

My last advice would be to have a person who is not in the wedding party but who you can trust to do small, last minute duties! My dear friend from college ended up pressing play and pause for our ceremony music as our DJ did not have the correct versions. It was a last minute panic that she saved the day with! Have a go-to gal — it's so worth it. 

Wedding Vendors:

Photography: Trina Dinnar Photography

Venue: The Barn at Flanagan Farm

Flowers: Maine Street Florist

Bridal Gown Alterations: Maria Antonieta Bridal

Bridesmaid's Dresses: Andrea's Bridal

Men's Attire: Kenneth Cole from Men's Wearhouse

Officiant: Patrick Hoey (Groom's Father)

Rentals: Party Time Rentals, Inc.

Catering: Finest Kind Caterers

 

Trina DinnarTrina Dinnar Photography
Lindsey and Chris: Maine Engagement Photography Session
Lindsey and Chris: Maine Engagement Photography Session

After taking a couple months off from shooting, I was really excited about my second engagement photography session this month! Lindsey and Chris contacted me from Massachusetts and were going to be in Maine for a weekend so it was the perfect opportunity to return to one of my favorite coastal Maine locations in Cape Elizabeth.

We were fortunate enough to have a fairly warm day (for a February in New England). Lindsey and Chris brought along their adorable Goldendoodle, Leo, who seemed to really love being in front of the camera!

Here’s my interview with Lindsey:

How did you two meet?

We both went to college at Northeastern in Boston and had a few mutual friends, however, we were simply acquaintances at that time and crossed paths only a handful of times.  Fast forward nearly 10 years, and although we hadn't been in touch, we still shared a few mutual friends.  One friend in particular is one of Chris's best hometown friends, and one of my best friends from college.  She was close to both Chris and I as we were coincidentally going through cancellations of previous engagements/weddings.  She filled us each in on what was happening in both of our lives, and it wasn't long after that we were set up to go on a date.  It didn't take us long to know that we were meant to be!   

What did you do on your first date?

We went out to a nice dinner, caught up on the last 10 years of our lives, and reminisced about times that we were at the same parties and events in college.  We even stumbled upon an old photo on Facebook of us posing together years ago that neither of us had known about.

When and where did you get engaged? Tell us about the proposal.

Chris planned a great surprise and included my family and young nieces and nephews in on it.  Two days before Christmas, we went to Maine to visit family at my sister’s house and they told Chris and I that the kids had planned a scavenger hunt to give us our gift.  We had done something similar for the kids when they visited us, and they had wanted to do one for us.  They all fooled me!  At the end of the Christmas scavenger hunt, Chris pulled out the ring and took a knee for a very sweet proposal with my family all around. 

What are some common interests or activities you enjoy doing together?

We love planning and working on home and outdoor renovation projects together, playing with our sweet goldendoodle pup Leo, traveling, working out, and spending time with family and friends.

Tell us about your wedding plans. When and where it will take place?

We will be getting married in August of this year in Portland, Maine with a small group of close friends and family.  We are planning an outdoor ceremony followed by a dinner and party to celebrate.  

Winter Beach Maine Engagement

 

 

Trina DinnarTrina Dinnar Photography